Win free movie tickets Editor's note: Comment on today's "Cinema Chat" for a chance to win free movie tickets to the Michigan Theater. Some time between now and 9 a.m. Monday, leave a comment on this column, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ mentions. A winner will be randomly selected, and we’ll notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice, courtesy of The Michigan Theater. Full rules here.

"Biutiful"

Marching toward Oscars - “Biutiful,” Best Actor & Foreign Film nominee, opens “Biutiful” is nominated for two Academy Awards in the categories of Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor for Javier Bardem. Bardem’s nomination is the first entirely Spanish language performance to be a candidate for an Oscar. Bardem stars as Uxbal, a conflicted man, a lowlife, who struggles to reconcile fatherhood, love, spirituality, crime, guilt and mortality amid the dangerous underworld of modern Barcelona. Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times says, “(It) ultimately gives us a story of hope, and from Bardem, a performance of staggering depth, unquestionably one of the year's best.” “Biutiful” opens Friday at the State Theatre. Don’t forget, the live-action and animated short films nominated for Oscars are playing at the Michigan Theater. Show times are available at michtheater.org.

Special screenings Not really a movie, but the Michigan Theater again partners with the University Musical Society to present a live broadcast of a theater production from the National Theatre in Great Britain. “King Lear” stars Derek Jacobi for one screening only Sunday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at UMS.org or at the Michigan League Box Office.

"The Circus"

The Michigan Theater’s Charlie Chaplin series continues with a double feature: the 1919 short film “Sunnyside” and the 1928 Academy Award winner “The Circus.” Vincent Canby of the New York Times called it “one of the loveliest screen experiences! Perhaps the quintessential Chaplin film!” I agree wholeheartedly. The Tramp, mistakenly suspected as a pickpocket, is chased by the police and stumbles into the middle of a circus performance, becoming the hit of the show. This double bill plays on Monday at 7 p.m. This special screening will be presented with a live musical introduction on the Michigan’s silent-era Barton Organ by Andrew Rogers. Director Havana Marking's eye-opening documentary “Afghan Star” captures the resurgence of pop culture in Afghanistan after three decades of Taliban rule. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe called it “one of the most hopeful and heart-rending movies.” “Afghan Star” plays Tuesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. and is presented by the UM Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia free to the public. Opening at the cineplex “I Am Number Four,” directed by D.J. Caruso, is based on the young-adult novel of the same name. Nine infant aliens who closely resemble humans flee their planet and hide on Earth, where they are being hunted by the alien race that destroyed their home world. Each of the nine aliens is given a given a number and will develop superhuman powers once they become adults. Number Four (played by Alex Pettyfer) moves to Paradise, Ohio disguised as an American high school student. He falls in love, becoming comfortable with his small town life; then the evil aliens show up to kill him. The film also stars Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer and Dianna Agron. There are currently no reviews available. “I Am Number Four” opens Friday. “Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son” is the third film in the Big Momma franchise, and once again Martin Lawrence returns as FBI agent Malcolm Turner. When his stepson, Trent (played by Brandon T. Jackson) witnesses a murder, they go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school to avoid the Russian mob. There are currently no reviews available, but this film looks to rebrand the franchise for a teenage audience after the more family oriented “Big Momma’s House 2.” “Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son” opens Friday. Liam Neeson has had an action movie renaissance lately with “The A-Team” and “Taken.” His latest film, “Unknown,” continues the trend with the help of director Jaume Collet-Serra, who brought us last year’s bizarre horror hit “Orphan.” Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin only to discover that his wife (January Jones) doesn't recognize him and that another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious killers, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run as he questions his sanity and identity. “Unknown” opens Friday.

What to see

The following is Russ’ list of the newest and the best to help you prioritize what to see this week: Opening: • “Biutiful” - Bardem looks to be in perfect form here in this heartbreaking Spanish import. • “Unknown”- Liam Neeson as action hero? Why not! • “The Circus”/ “Sunnyside”- New 35mm prints and some great laughs! Continuing: • “The King’s Speech” - Historical British film nominated for 12 Academy Awards. • “The Illusionist” - Oscar-nominated animated film from Sylvain Chomet, with Jacques Tati script. • “Blue Valentine” - Stars Oscar nominee Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. • The animated and live-action short films nominated for Oscars - at the Michigan.

Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.